BBC Studios Science Unit scores first Channel 5 orders
BBC Studios Science Unit has won its first Channel 5 commissions with two new shows – Why Do I Put On Weight? and Why Can’t I Sleep? (working title).
Presented by Cambridge University geneticist Giles Yeo (Horizon: Clean Eating – The Dirty Truth), Why Do I Put On Weight? (1 x 60’) explores the science behind weight gain. Drawing on the latest research it will challenge long-held assumptions that it is all down to eating too much and exercising too little and reveal how much it is linked to genetics, hormones and psychology.
Commissioned by Emma Westcott, Commissioning Editor – Factual for Channel 5, Why Can’t I Sleep? (w/t)(2 x 60’) looks at the sleep crisis affecting the nation: on average the British sleep 2 hours less a night compared with 50 years ago. A team of sleep specialists will take some of Britain’s worst sleepers – and see if they can solve their problems – from snoring to night terrors. The show will also also carry out a major sleep deprivation experiment to see exactly what a lack of sleep does to people biologically.
Paul Overton, Executive Producer, BBC Studios Science Unit in Glasgow said: “It’s exciting to be bringing our expertise in science-led health programmes to Channel 5. These shows will be packed with fascinating and relevant new specialist discoveries and applied to contributors’ lives to see if it can help them overcome their problems.”
Andrew Cohen, Head of BBC Studios Science Unit said: “The Science Unit has huge experience in delivering the very best in popular medical journalism and we’re enormously pleased to be working with Channel 5 to deliver this range of new programmes. I hope that they will help people understand the very latest science around common health issues like obesity and the sleep crisis and offer a real takeout for people to positively change their own lives.”
Both the new Channel 5 commissions are being produced by BBC Studios Science Unit in Glasgow and are due to air in 2019.
Staff Reporter
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